Vibration From The Rear- Please Help!

[Ezspoons]

Ok, the problems with my E46 323 ci continue

Now getting a loud "vibration" under load and it appears to be coming from the rear. Its only in 1st and 2nd gear and I even have the gear stick shaking (only in 1st and flooring it)

I've tried to research this and it would appear it may be the drive shaft guibo.

Now I dont want to be spending loads as I already have to get the air con fixed, as well as look at a "rattle" which is coming from(seemingly) the passanger side, underneath the car at the rear (possibly linked?)

Has anyone else had similar symptoms and if so what was the remedy?

Is this dangerous what "could" happen?

I found this information and the sympoms seem very similar

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39-m5-e5...oken-guibo.html

any help would be greatly appreciated

My first impression of owning a BMW is beggining to be quite bad now

thankds

[Rob-]

Have you read this?

http://www.e46zone.com/forum/index.php?sho...amp;hl=subframe

[Ezspoons]

Have you read this?

http://www.e46zone.com/forum/index.php?sho...amp;hl=subframe

Hi Rob, thanks for the qick response.

I've already had the sub frame checked by BMW Heathrow a few weeks ago (had a loud creacking as well as a slight "thud" . te creacking turned out to nothing - WD40 solved this.the thud/thump remains and this is only when changing from 1st to second, and very mildly 2nd to 3rd.) to be honest more concerned about this vibration now (unless the thud issue is linked? god knows )

so sub frame is fine and while under the car got the bushes checked and the rest of the suspension, all seemed fine.

From what I hear, and the way the vibratin feels I would say it could be anything from drive shafts/CV , guibo (or both!) to bearings, etc.

I was going to get all 4 tyres balanced, but I think it will be a waste of money as the vibration doesnt increase in speed, its purely under strong acceleration in 1st and 2nd. 3rd seems fine (for now) but I have a feeling the problem is getting slightly worse.

I'm really concerned as Im driving the car every day and I drive it with my fiancee (who is pregnant) and Im really concerned this could be dangerous.

any advice please?

[Ezspoons]

P.s on another note, If anyone could offer technical help/diagnosis or strongly recommend a really good indy mechanic/garage I am more than willing to travel. I honestly dont trust BMW main stealers.

Thanks again

[Marcus]

im having money on the prop guibo.. et under and look at it. ive seen them ripped to shreds . someties you can see them breakin up around the bolt holes too.

[Ezspoons]

im having money on the prop guibo.. et under and look at it. ive seen them ripped to shreds . someties you can see them breakin up around the bolt holes too.

thanks Marcus. aside from a visul check, how could I confirm this? Has anyone had experience or a remedy, as well as the costs for replcing this?

should anything else be changed whilst the guibo is being replaced?

is this it?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/thumbs/y/p/108.png

[Marcus]

whilst your under check box mounts too. and engine mounts. as well.

if visually the guibo looks ok ,you still need to remove to inspect the bolt holes.but they do go soft with age etc.

think they are approx 50 plus an hours effort.

[fingz999]

as above id go for the guibo had to change mine last year as it was ripped to hell, sure it cost me about £70

[Ezspoons]

as above id go for the guibo had to change mine last year as it was ripped to hell, sure it cost me about £70

Thanks agaian for the response guys.

£70? is that all!?

I take it that was for the part and some DIY?

I personally dont have enough knowhow or confidence to do somthing like that, but I'd be prepared to pay an indy to do it.

fingz999 - where did you get the part from?

[fingz999]

nope i had it done at a place local but they have gone bump (supprising lol considering everthign i seamed to have done to my car was £70.

try ces for parts mate then look in the local paper for mobile machanics? see if they will do it cheaper save going to a indi

[starryboy]

I'm sure someone on here can recommend an indie you can take it too. Its gotta be easier to let them ramp it and sort it out for you!

[Ezspoons]

I'm sure someone on here can recommend an indie you can take it too. Its gotta be easier to let them ramp it and sort it out for you!

thanks again guys.

Can anyone recommend and indy they have used or know any mobile mechanics? I am prepared to travel

[sandeep]

it seems i have the same problem as you. my cars a W reg 323ise 4 door and the rear end creaks like crazy.

im not very far from you either, just down the other end of the A406, closer to yeading. if you get some free time id like to see if your symptoms are the same and hopefully find a fix to this problem which is driving me nuts.

[Mcfly]

The Guibo (or doughnut) might not cure all of your woes unfortunately. Mine was doing the same thing under heavy load, normally at full throttle in lower revs (about 1500rpm in third is worst). The vibration came and went a few times till the revs built up. I was also getting the clunk and thud upon releasing the power. A local garage had a look and said it was the doughnut and possibly the carrier bearing which supports the driveshaft. I changed both, and the thud is gone, but the power-on vibration is still there. Not too sure what to try now tbh!

[Ezspoons]

The Guibo (or doughnut) might not cure all of your woes unfortunately. Mine was doing the same thing under heavy load, normally at full throttle in lower revs (about 1500rpm in third is worst). The vibration came and went a few times till the revs built up. I was also getting the clunk and thud upon releasing the power. A local garage had a look and said it was the doughnut and possibly the carrier bearing which supports the driveshaft. I changed both, and the thud is gone, but the power-on vibration is still there. Not too sure what to try now tbh!

Mmmm interesting. What year of car was this on and what was the cost to change? To be honest I can live with the thud, I just do not like the vibration.I was even thinking loose wheel/damaged bearings etc?

[Ezspoons]

it seems i have the same problem as you. my cars a W reg 323ise 4 door and the rear end creaks like crazy.

im not very far from you either, just down the other end of the A406, closer to yeading. if you get some free time id like to see if your symptoms are the same and hopefully find a fix to this problem which is driving me nuts.

do you get the vibration too? My creacking turned out to be nothing. I sprayed WD40 on or near the suspension joints (just a tiny squirt here and there, where I thought the creaking was coming from and that sound went.

If I were you, I'd definatly take it to a BMW garage for a FREE sub frame check. gives you peace of mind and you can at least eliminate that possibility.

[sandeep]

would my vehicle be eligable for this free subframe check? its a 2000 reg with 179k miles on it?

i tried the wd40 solution but unfortunatly for me it didnt work. the rear end just always squeaks and creaks. during normal driving (not motorway) and traffic. it does seem to stop when theres a full load of passengers though?

its so annoying in traffic as i respect 'most' other drivers and turn my music down. im begging to get so fed up with it and thought about selling it, but i actually like my standard grand dad e46 quite a bit!

[RickyZ]

would my vehicle be eligable for this free subframe check? its a 2000 reg with 179k miles on it?

i tried the wd40 solution but unfortunatly for me it didnt work. the rear end just always squeaks and creaks. during normal driving (not motorway) and traffic. it does seem to stop when theres a full load of passengers though?

its so annoying in traffic as i respect 'most' other drivers and turn my music down. im begging to get so fed up with it and thought about selling it, but i actually like my standard grand dad e46 quite a bit!

IIRC dude ur car is 10/going on 10+ years old so afraid not

[Ezspoons]

IIRC dude ur car is 10/going on 10+ years old so afraid not

My car is 11 years old and I had my sub frame checked for free and all turned out well. I do hav a private plate though, so they didnt know the age.Plus before I booked it in, I emailed BMW HQ in bracknell as wel as the service manager and provided them with a copy of the BMW E46 subframe internal directive, which is on a pdf in the main sticky - sub frame (see on the main tech page) best of luck mate

[Oreo]

I think this is damn issue I have... pretty much all the same symptoms except mines at it's worst when lift off the throttle but fine when it's open. It just started out of nowhere a few days ago after I started rolling my arches so assumed it could be related, but the more I investigate the more I think this is the problem.

I think I need to get under the car and see what it's all about. Is it possible to change the guibo with the car on axle stands or is it ramp + proper mechanic job?

[Ezspoons]

I think this is damn issue I have... pretty much all the same symptoms except mines at it's worst when lift off the throttle but fine when it's open. It just started out of nowhere a few days ago after I started rolling my arches so assumed it could be related, but the more I investigate the more I think this is the problem.

I think I need to get under the car and see what it's all about. Is it possible to change the guibo with the car on axle stands or is it ramp + proper mechanic job?

Hello amte, im not sure if you cn domit on stands. im going to get a mechanic to do mine. Just need to find a decent one first.

[sfh3l]

Guys - for a good Indie, I can recommend BMWox in Stoke Mandeville (between Aylesbury and Wendover). Not a million miles out for you guys in North London and a nice ride out into the country

I know the subframes are abig issue on these cars, but there are other areas worth checking too. As someone else has pointed out, the engine mounts and gearbox carrier bushes are probably well past their best by now and the Guibo too. I remember changing the these all at once on my 3.0csl and the car felt as if it had a new engine fitted to it.

One other thing to mention though re the vibration specifically - if and when this work is done (and for those of you who have had replacements and still have vibrations) check that the propshaft is aligned correctly. If the left-right position of the centre bearing holder is incorrect, the prop is out of alignment and wil vibrate either constantly or at certain speeds/revs under power or engine braking. This is adjusted simply by loosening the bolts, adjusting the position and retightening.

This might be worth a look?

Good luck.

[Marcus]

check the guibo and subframe mounts first.

although vibrations when acceleration in lower gears is nearly always guibo.

check all engine/box mounts though as well

[Ezspoons]

check the guibo and subframe mounts first.

although vibrations when acceleration in lower gears is nearly always guibo.

check all engine/box mounts though as well

thanks again for the advice guys, I'm off on holiday next week, but hope to get my car booked in when I return.

Is it worth me ordering the guibo before I take her in?

[Marcus]

Is it worth me ordering the guibo before I take her in?

you could do and just get em to swap it anyway.or let the garage order one if they diagnose its at fault.

although sometimes they look ok.but have gone soft.